Pico Technology

Here is your Test and Measurement update from Pico Technology.

1.  Tech Tip: Waveform Overlays

Did you know that PicoScope can display a saved waveform in the background for comparison? This feature is built into PicoScope, but you might not have discovered it yet. It’s called Reference Waveforms.

You will find the Reference Waveforms feature in the Tools menu. Selecting the command opens a dialog that shows all available and saved waveforms. To save a waveform and display it in the background, select the source channel under the “Available” list and click Duplicate. The new reference waveform will then appear in the “Library” list. Next, click OK and the reference waveform will appear in the PicoScope window. You can drag it up and down, or scale and offset it, in the same way as a live waveform. You can also drag a live waveform over it for comparison.

Keep your PicoScope up to date: download the latest version now

2.  Software Updates

The following software packages have been updated this month:

• PicoScope R6.4.64 - fixes for streaming in 4000 Series, loading of frequency probes
• PicoLog R5.21.3 - fixes for HumidiProbe on x64 systems, axis labels on printed graph
• HumidiProbe SDK R10.1.0.2

3.  New Protective Rubber Case for PicoScope 4000 Series

A new, custom-made silicone rubber case to protect your PicoScope 4000 Series scope is now available. It fits all models in the series, and allows unimpeded access to the connectors on the front and rear panels. It includes a carrying loop that can be used to hang the scope from a hook.

Order Code: PP691
Price: 20.00 GBP (approx. 33.00 USD or 24.20 EUR at today’s exchange rates)

Order your PicoScope Protective Rubber Case today

4.  New picoscope.tv Website

We’re starting to collect all of our instructional videos related to PicoScope, the software for PC Oscilloscopes, and place them on a new website: picoscope.tv. Topics so far include advanced features of the PicoScope user interface, CAN Bus decoding, and the testing of various automotive sensors. No registration or payment is required.

Tune in to picoscope.tv

5.  Questions and Answers

Here are some of the questions that have cropped up recently on our support forum:

Q. This week I bought the WPS500X pressure transducer and am just getting to grips with it. Can you tell me how to change the measurements from millibar to inHg as it’s a measurement I am more used to. I tried to make a custom probe but got confused when I got to the ‘Y’ ‘X’ options.

A. We have built some probe definitions for the WPS500X which read in inHg in all 3 ranges of the pressure transducer. There are 6 probes, which cover all 3 modes: 3 are called ‘InHg Pressure’ and 3 are called ‘InHg VAC’. The ‘InHg Pressure’ Probes are set to show pressure as positive readings and vacuum as negative. The ‘InHg VAC’ probes are set to show the vacuum as positive readings and pressure as negative. Download the probe definitions from our forum

Q. I am using a Current Monitoring Kit with the EL005 logger which gives a reading once every minute. Since there can be variation in the current during that 1 minute of sampling, how is the output reading from the logger calculated? If the current changes during that 1 minute of sampling, is the output reading given by the EnviroMon software the average current within the 1 minute or is it the highest current? Or is it something else?

A. The true RMS value of the AC current is sampled at least four times and possibly up to 10 times within that minute (depending on the total number of sensors). All these readings are averaged and that value used as the reading for that minute.

6.  Events

For the latest information about upcoming exhibitions, please see our “Training and Exhibitions” page.

7.  Employment Opportunities

Due to our continuing growth, we have vacancies for the following positions:

• Development Engineer - Windows Desktop Application Software
• Development Engineer - Analogue Hardware
• Development Engineer - Hardware

Find more details of these positions and complete an online application form

If you want to be part of a growing company at the leading edge of test equipment design, please contact us. We look forward to hearing from you.

8.  Software Releases

As soon as we release new software, it is made available for FREE download from our website. To check which version you are using, start the software (PicoScope, PicoLog or EnviroMon) and select HELP | ABOUT.

The current releases are:

To download the latest software please visit the software downloads page

See Software Releases - New Features for a list of recent changes and additions to the software.

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10.  Contact Details

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